Following a trophy-less season overshadowed by off-pitch controversies, Real Madrid have turned to Jose Mourinho once again to re-establish discipline inside the Bernabéu dressing room. The Portuguese manager, returning for a second stint after 13 years, has wasted no time asserting his authority during pre-season preparations at the Valdebebas training ground.
Mourinho’s first spell in the Spanish capital saw Real Madrid secure a record-breaking La Liga title in the 2011–12 season, though his tenure eventually ended amid player feuds and dressing-room friction. Now, following Xabi Alonso’s brief tenure and the departure of interim manager Álvaro Arbeloa, club president Florentino Pérez has reappointed the seasoned Portuguese tactician to unite a squad fractured by ego clashes and internal disputes.
According to reports from Spanish sports daily AS, Mourinho has introduced a stringent set of guidelines targeting player habits, nutrition, punctuality, and injury management to enforce total control before the new campaign begins.
Dietary freedoms previously enjoyed by the squad have been curtailed. The club’s head nutritionist now dictates all breakfast and afternoon meal menus, ensuring peak physical conditioning. Players have reportedly accepted these dietary adjustments constructively, recognising the performance benefits.
Punctuality rules have undergone an even stricter overhaul. Under previous regimes, tardiness resulted in financial fines. Under Mourinho, late arrival automatically forfeits a player’s right to participate in team sessions; offending individuals are consigned to solo gym workouts instead. Furthermore, all squad members must arrive at Valdebebas at least one hour prior to scheduled training or team meetings.
Medical protocols have similarly been tightened. Players are no longer permitted to seek external medical consultations or private treatment. Every stage of injury rehabilitation must take place strictly under the supervision of Real Madrid’s internal medical staff.
Reactions within the squad remain surprisingly positive despite the uncompromising measures. Players appear to appreciate the emphasis on unity and professionalism, with an internal club source describing the current atmosphere as “really, very good.” Whether this harmony persists once the competitive pressure mounts remains the ultimate test for Mourinho’s second era in Madrid.
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